Washing stuffed animals/dolls

[apple_dumpling]

What is the best way to do this? DD has several stuffed toys that say 'surface washable only' but I really want to stick them in the washing machine (we have a front loader with a hand wash cycle)

Can I do this? Or should I really just wipe them down with a damp cloth...

Thanks!

[zeldabee]

I washed Sprogly's beloved Puppy in the washing machine, even though it said not to. Poor Puppy was dark grey and stinky. I put him in one of those mesh laundry bags and threw him in, and then let him dry out of reach. He came out fine, thankfully, fluffy and white. He's actually gone through twice now.

[apple_dumpling]

Thanks so much!!

If they weren't that old then I'd just wipe them down, but they have been lovingly played with and cuddled for, um.. two years now without a good wash

[~PurityLake~]

I think the main concern with stuffed animals, is that they dry thoroughly so as not to grow mold.

[apple_dumpling]

Originally Posted by Abi's Mom

I think the main concern with stuffed animals, is that they dry thoroughly so as not to grow mold.

Thanks... they're in the washer now, maybe I'll try to run them for a quick spin on extra low in the dryer. It's so humid here right now I'm afraid if I just let them air dry they might not dry for quite some time

[Ruthla]

I wash my kids' stuffed animals in the washer on gentle and put them in the dryer on low. Usually I just toss them in with the next load of laundry.

[apple_dumpling]

Thanks everyone : I did wash them on gentle/hand wash with an extra rinse and I dried them on extra low. It took quite a while to get them dry but they are nice and fresh and fluffy now!

She has a few with plastic faces too but I'm not quite sure what to do with those... I'm pretty sure I can't wash those, right?

[incorrigible]

Just wash them on cold so nothing melts. We always put ours in a pillow case to wash so the eyes and what not wouldn't get scratched up banging around the washer, too.

[ezrasmummy]

I remember hearing that you can clean stuffed animals by brushing them with dry baking soda. This can't help with dust mites and things but maybe it helps clean the outer part. IDK, just throwing it out there!

[oneKnight]

My DH accidentally washed the bear he gave me for V-day. We just hung it on the line to dry. I have also washed a giant stuffed alligator that I use for a pillow because DH slept on it without taking a shower first.....damn stinky armpits, men are so nasty sometimes.

FWIW we have a front-loader (and used the regular cycle) and we always hang them out to dry.

[Caneel]

I just throw them in the washer (regular stuffed things) and into the dryer with everything else. But then again, it won't bother me a whole lot if one got destroyed.

[zeldabee]

If Puppy were destroyed, it would be a terrible tragedy.

[maisiedotes]

I am so glad you asked is. I was just gagging over the smell of some dog toys at our house... they are almost brand new but smell like dog breath. I guess I will go ahead and wash them and see how they do...

[bigeyes]

I tie them up in a pillowcase before putting in the washer.

[~PurityLake~]

The pillowcase tip is actually printed on the tag of one of Abigail's newly acquired (birthday gift) stuffed animal. I think it's called a doodle bear.

I'd never thought of using a pillowcase until I red the tag to find out how to wash it.
I had to wash it because Sabrina (my 13 year old siamese cat) was accidently shut in my bedroom and she peed on the doll (among other dolls and pillowcases and sheets).
:

Naughty kitty.

[pinksprklybarefoot]

Originally Posted by incorrigible

JWe always put ours in a pillow case to wash so the eyes and what not wouldn't get scratched up banging around the washer, too.

I was a stuffed animal lover until I got a real dog 5 years ago (Yes, that's right... married and still sleeping with stuffed animals).

ITA with the pillowcase thing. My beloved Snobal the Seal had her eyes badly damaged by being washed so many times.

[g&a]

We have a beloved monkey that has an afro now due to the dryer.
It always seems to make the fur funny when I try it.

g.

[my daughter's mom]

I've washed some of my DD stuffed animals in with our regular laundry and dry it on whatever setting that load needs - from to low to hot heat; the only ones I do not wash are those with squeekers in them, or some other*internal mechanism, cuz i figure water could get in and ruin them.

has anyone else washed toys with squeekers that turned out ok?

[incorrigible]

Originally Posted by my daughter's mom

has anyone else washed toys with squeekers that turned out ok?

the only things I don't throw in the washer are ones with electronics. I always put stuffies in a pillow case or similar, and usually wash on cold and dry on gentle (or cool or whatever the dryer calls "won't melt plastic bits"). The washing process has never damaged any stuffies...the kids and cats are an entirely different story, though.

This is how my mom handled things and never managed to damage any of my stuffed animals either. In fact, my kids have inherited my old care bears and I'm the only one that can tell which are 20+ yrs old and which are only 2-3.